Toronto mayor won't quit despite new drug revelation

Thursday

Nov 14, 2013 at 12:01 AMNov 14, 2013 at 11:42 AM

TORONTO - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted during a heated city council debate yesterday that he bought illegal drugs while in office, but he adamantly refused to step down despite calls from nearly every councilor to take a leave of absence and get help.

TORONTO — Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted during a heated city council debate yesterday that he bought illegal drugs while in office, but he adamantly refused to step down despite calls from nearly every councilor to take a leave of absence and get help.

“I’m most definitely keeping this job,” the 44-year-old Ford said, insisting he was “a positive role model for kids.”

The mayor made the admission under questioning by a former ally, Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong. Ford publicly acknowledged last week that he smoked crack while in a “drunken stupor” last year, but his comments yesterday marked the first time he admitted to buying illegal drugs.

Ford paused for a long time after Minnan-Wong asked him if he had bought illicit narcotics in the past two years.

Then he said, “Yes, I have. ...

“I understand the embarrassment that I have caused. I am humiliated by it,” Ford said.

He then turned defiant, saying he was not an addict and rebuffing suggestions that he seek help.